In a little over a week from now, delegates will answer the question; who bears the flag for the New Patriotic Party into the 2024 General Elections?
The Party’s bid to have a more decorous campaign may soon be a lost battle, may be first of the many losses to follow, as accusations are following counter-accusations and propaganda is chasing another of it kind.
Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has strongly denied allegations that he called for all incumbent Members of Parliament from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to run unopposed in the upcoming parliamentary primaries.
He argued that such a statement, which he refutes, would be in direct conflict with the NPP’s Constitution. Therefore, there is no basis for such a claim.
“The third lie I have heard this morning is that I want to say that all sitting MPs should go unopposed and nobody should contest a sitting MP. How can I say that? The party’s constitution cannot even allow that. This party is stronger when we have democracy working, and so I will never say any sitting MP must go unopposed.”
Mahamudu Bawumia
He emphasized that for an incumbent MP to run unopposed, a consensus within the constituency is required. Dr. Bawumia stated that it’s essential for democracy to thrive within the party, and he would not advocate for a restriction on contesting MPs. He further indicated that these allegations are part of a strategy used by his critics to tarnish his image, but he remains resolute in resisting such tactics.
Addressing party executives during his nationwide tour of the Tatale-Sanguli Constituency in the Northern Region, Dr. Bawumia made it clear that these ploys would not deter him. As a flagbearer aspirant for the NPP in the run-up to the 2024 general elections, he remained focused on his goals.
He is in the contest with three other person; Francis Addai-Nimoh, Kennedy Agyapong and Dr. Owusu Akoto Afriyie. However, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong is his creates contender having come second in the first round.
Guidelines For November 4th Elections
The NPP is gearing up for its November 4th polls to select a flagbearer for the 2024 elections. The Presidential Elections Committee has already issued guidelines for the primaries, which will take place in all 276 constituencies across the country and at the Party Headquarters in Asylum Down, Accra.
The committee’s guidelines outline the procedures and rules for the primaries that will determine the party’s presidential candidate for the 2024 general election. However, the committee has faced criticism, with some alleging that it is working to influence the selection of a specific candidate.
“The Electoral Commission (EC) shall supervise the conduct of the elections and shall have the full responsibility of ensuring a transparent, free, and fair election. No persons, whether party officials or otherwise whatsoever shall act in contravention to the EC and these guidelines.”
“The security activities rest exclusively with the police and access beyond security perimeters is restricted to Delegates, Presidential Elections Committee Members, Contestants, and their accredited agents. The Presidential Elections Committee of the Party is the entity with the Constitutional mandate from the National Council to oversee the organization and conduct of the election for the Presidential Candidate,” the committee stated.
While the initial phase of the process was largely peaceful, concerns have been raised about the November 4th elections due to alleged instances of candidates violating electoral rules. The election rules also make provisions for the participation of differently-abled individuals and impose specific regulations to ensure a fair and transparent process.
“Voters are expected to ‘walk in’ freely by themselves. The physically challenged may be assisted. A voter must wait to be cleared before entering the perimeter- Queue Control. No voter shall wear the color or effigy of a contestant at the voting center (i.e. T-shirts, caps, posters of contestants). Delegates shall not be allowed to enter the voting screen or booth in groups or pairs.
“Voting shall not take place indoors but in an open place in the full glare of the public. It is an offense for unaccredited persons to enter the voting perimeter. A delegate who has already cast his/her vote shall not be re-admitted into the voting perimeter. Any person found directing a delegate on which contestant to vote for commits an offense and shall be removed by the police…”
NPP Election Committee Guidelines
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